Oh, did you think we were skipping the punter? Think again! Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) is back with his scouting report of the Ravens sixth-round pick (No. 211 overall) out of Michigan State, Ryan Eckley. Below are his write-ups on Baltimore’s first eight picks:
- Vega Ioane (G, Penn State, No. 14 overall)
- Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri, No. 45 overall)
- Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC, No. 80 overall)
- Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana, No. 114 overall)
- Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU, No. 133 overall)
- Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke, No. 152 overall)
- Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama, No. 173 overall)
- Adam Randall (RB, Clemson, No. 174 overall)
Short/Long-Term Projection
The Ravens entered the offseason needing to find a replacement for Jordan Stout, who signed with John Harbaugh’s Giants in free agency. Eckley will fill that immediate vacancy and provide stability on special teams during
his rookie contract. Long-term, he offers plenty of upside. He already has an extremely powerful leg and reliable placement that will only get better in Baltimore. Eckley is also just 22 years older – Stout was 24 as a rookie – giving him the potential to be a true field-flipper that helps the Ravens consistently win the field position battle.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Eckley possesses elite leg power with the ability to consistently drive the football and flip field position. He averaged 47.6 yards per punt for his career, the highest mark in Big Ten history, and in 2025 alone, he recorded 23 punts of 50-plus yards. Beyond power, Eckley also displays strong placement ability, with 10 punts pinned inside the 10-yard line last year. His combination of distance and touch gives him the profile of both a field-flipper and a precision specialist.
While Eckley’s power stands out, consistency remains an area for improvement. His punts can occasionally lack ideal hang time, creating opportunities for dangerous returners to gain momentum and generate favorable returns. Additionally, there are instances of shanked or misplaced punts, highlighting some ball-placement inconsistency that will need refinement at the next level.
Scheme Fit
Ravens senior special teams coach and kicking expert Randy Brown hand-selected Eckley and described him as a “younger Sam Koch,” signaling confidence in both his developmental upside and stylistic fit within Baltimore’s special teams operation. Beyond punting duties, Eckley brings experience as a kickoff specialist, which could create opportunities for him to take occasional kickoff reps if Tyler Loop continues to struggle with penalties in that phase. Eckley also spent all four years at Michigan State serving as a holder, making him a natural fit to assume those responsibilities in Baltimore and providing added value through his versatility on special teams.
Intangibles
Eckley brings both accolades and confidence to the position. He was named the Big 10 Punter of the Year and a third-team All-American for his stellar senior year, reflecting the respect he garnered for his performance and consistency. Beyond production, he carries a competitive edge and takes pride in challenging the stereotype surrounding specialists. He works to counter perceptions about specialists, saying, “No, I’m still out here lifting and working out with the rest of you all. I can hold my own. So I’m going to have some fun out there too and have a little bit of swag.” That mindset consistently shows up on the field, where Eckley is often seen celebrating impactful punts with visible energy and enthusiasm, highlighting his confidence, passion, and competitive personality.
Comparisons: Michael Dickson, Jordan Stout
